Memoir of the Life of Eli Wliitney. 241 



New Haven, and have no hesitation in saying that I consider it the 

 most perfect I have ever seen ; and I believe it is well understood, 

 that few persons in this country surpass Mr. Whitney in talents as a 

 mechanic or in experience as a manufacturer of muskets. Those 

 which he has made for us, are generally supposed to exceed, in form 

 and quality, all the muskets either of foreign or domestic fabrication 

 belonging to the State, and are universally preferred and selected by 

 the most competent judges. 



It is perhaps proper for me to observe further that all Mr. Whitney's 

 contracts with the State of New York, have been performed with 

 integrity, and to the entire satisfaction of the several military com- 

 missaries of the state." Governor Wolcott's testimony is still more 

 full, as his opportunities for acquaintance with Mr. Whitney had been 

 more extensive. We insert the letter entire, as not only indicating 

 the high reputation of the individual to whom it relates, but as exem- 

 plifying the liberality with which the writer is known always to have 

 fostered and encouraged genius and merit-r 



« New Y6rk, May 7, 1814.- 



" Sir — I have the honor to address you on behalf of my friend, Eli 

 Whitney, Esq. of New Haven, who is a manufacturer of arms, un- 

 der a contract with your department. Mr. Whitney first engaged in 

 this business under a contract with me, as Secretary of the Treasury ; 

 when, according to existing laws, all contracts for military supplies 

 were formed under my superintendence. I have since been con- 

 stantly acquainted with him, and venture to assure you that the pres- 

 ent improved state of our manufactures is greatly indebted to his skill 

 and exertions ; that though a practical mechanic, he is also a gentle- 

 man of liberal education, a man of science, industry and integrity, 

 and that his inventions and labors have been as useful to this country 

 as those of any other individual. Moreover, that if any further alter- 

 ations or improvements in the construction of military machines are 

 proposed, Mr. Whitney is one of the few men who can safely and 

 advantageously be consulted, respecting the best mode of giving 

 them effect. 



I make these declarations to you, with a perfect conviction that 

 they express nothing more than Mr. Whitney has a right to demand 

 from every man, who is acquainted with his merits and capable of 

 estimating their value ; and understanding that he experiences some 

 difficulties in regard to his contract, I venture respectfully to requesie 



Vol. XXL— No. 2. 31 



